Productive Qualities of Large Wax Moth Galleria Mellonella L. Grown on Natural Food With Addition of Medicinal Herbs

Abstract

This study is on the influence of various natural nutrient media on the morphometrics of larvae of the large wax moth Galleria mellonella L. at the VII stage of its development, their survival, the degree of weaving of the cobweb and the construction of tunnels. The relationship between the weight, body length and width of head capsule of the larvae in culture has been evaluated. The correlation coefficient between the survival rate and the addition of medicinal herbs to the main feed was calculated. The ranking of larvae was made according to their fresh body weight at an interval of 50 mg. The chemical composition of the larvae and the product of their vital activity in the form of excrement is shown, and also the relationship with other indicators is established. An analysis of the metabolic byproduct of G. mellonella larvae studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) on a SPECS electron spectrometer, showed that the metabolic byproduct contains a high % of oxygen in two nonequivalent chemical states - 31%, nitrogen - 7.2%, carbon - 61%; and with less of potassium and phosphorus (0.6%). The product of vital activity is beeswax, which is mainly myricin-ester of long chain acids and aliphatic alcohols. A positive relationship existing between morphometrics with various natural nutrient media has been brought out. These results will be of use in increasing the survival, growth and development of wax moth larvae in mass culture, to get more biomass and valuable cobweb.